Viewbook V3, status update 3: Building solid foundations
This is a third status update on the progress of Viewbook V3, the project name for ‘Viewbook Version 3′. It’s hard to believe, but it has been almost a year since we announced the development of Viewbook V3 on this blog. We were fully aware that completing this project would take a long time. But we are the first to admit that it sure is taking a wee bit longer than expected.
Although a lot is already accomplished we discovered in the final quarter of 2011 that the underlying technical systems would need significant revision to perform at the levels that both you and we expect. That meant more work, and more development, so we kept working and developing every day. So, anybody having concerns about V3, it’s time to rekindle your excitement about the project. This is where we are.
We currently have a functional draft version of V3. It is not ready for public viewing yet, still the page designer and editor is there, as are the individual expansion modules which make all the new features possible. Paul, our lead designer, is working on the user interface framework. He is finalizing the rules, structure, and all the user interface components necessary to provide an intuitive and satisfying user experience. Another exciting development is that Paul is working with a well known icon designer to freshen up Viewbook’s icons. To hasten the creation of our new infrastructure we hired two new developers, Bas and Joachim. Since they started, progress has made a giant leap forward. Soon there will be new impressions of our progress at v3.viewbook.com.
It is great to talk about all the progress that we are making, but the bottom line is that we need more time to finish V3. It is still impossible for us to offer a definitive release date, but we want you to know that it is our intention to make the best product possible. We are dedicated to doing this correctly, and are not prepared to release a product that is less than extraordinary. As a Viewbook user, you will be the first to try and test the new product when it’s ready. Some of the bravest (or luckiest) among you will be able to contribute directly if you are chosen as alpha-testers. We will make an effort to keep you in the loop with more frequent updates on our progress on this blog and on the V3 development site. Your patience is greatly appreciated, as is your input. Thank you.
> Follow the development process on v3.viewbook.com
Join the Global Poster Exchange.
Get your work outside the academy walls! While introducing the Viewbook EDU student plan, we were looking for an opportunity to connect and collaborate to the world of academies and students; and here it is: the Global Poster Exchange project.
Students from art academies worldwide are invited to submit work and every week a handful of students will be selected by the founders of Viewbook. The work of the selected students will be printed on large posters, and they will receive a free Viewbook EDU subscription (Value $95). Just like Todd and Gisli in Exchange 01, they will receive the poster by mail to hang at the wall at their respective academies.
See the first exchanges and submit your work at posterexchange.viewbook.com.
Read more about the Viewbook EDU student plan.
Introducing: Viewbook EDU for Students and Teachers
To help students present their work outside the walls of the academy we are introducing the Viewbook EDU plan. The Viewbook EDU plan has the same features as the Viewbook Pro plan, but at half the price, or $9.50 Monthly / $95 Yearly. In order to be eligible for the special EDU rate you must either be a full time student enrolled in a program that lasts at least two years, or an educator at such an institution. Teachers can contact us about getting an EDU account for collaborative use free of charge. All you have to do is sign up for a free 30 day trial. For verification purposes, you will be asked to upload a copy of your valid student or staff ID before your trial ends, and we’ll send you a subscription link to the reduced EDU prices. For more information about the EDU program read the FAQs or contact us.
Viewbook Albums for iPhone: Your albums everywhere
Available now! The Viewbook Albums for iPhone App. Download for free on the App Store. Viewbook Albums for iPhone is an album viewer, creator and photo uploader that works seamlessly with Viewbook.com. View albums online with clean swipe-enabled albums with captions and thumb-grid mode. Create and share albums, import photos from your phone’s library or use the camera. Have your work available anytime and anywhere!
Get Viewbook Albums for iPhone on the App Store
How to use – full walkthrough
Conversation 04: Benedikt Partenheimer
“If you create work from your own original point of view, it will make it easy for you to stand behind your work.”
Benedikt Partenheimer (1977) was born in Munich and started his photographic endeavors at an early age. After studying art history and philosophy in Munich, he studied photography in Melbourne and New York. After completing his studies, Benedikt procured an internship with Richard Avedon in New York where he assisted him on many projects. The master died just a year later during a shoot for the New Yorker. Alrik Swagerman, Co-founder of Viewbook, calls Benedikt at home in Berlin, Germany. Benedikt tells us about his work, what motivates him, and his view on getting ahead in the art world.
Listen in iTunes. Subscribe to podcast RSS.
Related links
benedikt-partenheimer.com
Follow the progress of Viewbook V3
To give a better idea about where we are with Viewbook V3 we’ve decided to make the progress public on a weekly – if not daily – basis. You can now follow the progression of all the different parts of the system on the V3 development site. You will see an overview of the modules and other parts of the system that are planned to be released within the first version of V3 (rollover each item to get a short explanation). Each item shows a progress-bar that will change over time, plus a status that gives an idea about planning or what we’re currently working on.
Open Viewbook V3 development status dashboard
All posts about Viewbook V3
Conversation 03: Irina Rozovsky
“It’s important to stand behind your work, so you’re not promoting yourself, but your work.”
Irina Rozovsky was born in Moscow (1981) and grew up in the Boston area. She received a BA in French and Spanish Literature from Tufts University and an MFA in Photography from Massachusetts College of Art. Her work has been published and exhibited in the United States and abroad. Alrik Swagerman, Co-founder of Viewbook, calls her at home in Brooklyn New York. Irina tells us about her work, how she approaches new projects and her view on getting forward in the art world.
Listen in iTunes. Subscribe to podcast RSS.
Related links
irinar.com
Viewbook Portfolio for iPad — Update available now!
Viewbook Portfolio for iPad, the cleanest mobile digital portfolio, is now updated with the following features:
- Presentation mode (hide the ‘all albums’ tab and the edit buttons)
- Custom display name in the left top corner
- Hide and show portfolio tabs in your portfolio from the portfolio menu
- Optimization of the gallery viewer
- Additional sharing options: export to Facebook and to the iPad Photo Library
Furthermore, it has some minor UI updates and is ready for iOS 5.
> More about Viewbook Portfolio for iPad
> Get Viewbook Portfolio for iPad on the App Store
> How to use – full walkthrough
Viewbook Brothers in CODE Magazine
Who would have thought that being a web nerd would be fashionable? We’re featured in the international fashion magazine CODE that just came out! For reading the article, here’s the .pdf
Steve Jobs not being among us fills us with sadness and we realize how much respect we have for him; always enjoyed his ability to amaze us with his exceptional creativity. It feels like a far away friend but his influence for us personally and as a company is for sure immense. Thanks Steve!
Updated: Help us find a developer and win an iPad2!
We’re looking for a new front-end Javascript and a Ruby on Rails developer (located in or near The Netherlands!) to join our development team. Help us spread the word! If we find the perfect candidate through you, we will reward your efforts with an iPad2. We’ll also install the Viewbook iPad Portfolio App, and give you a free Viewbook Pro account for a year.
Send us a mail with your recommendation(s). Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter als also great resources to use, thank you for your help everyone!
Update: We’re looking for another developer. You can find the job descriptions here.